by Mike Brehm, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Brehm, USA TODAY Sports

Three years ago, the Tampa Bay Lightning named the hot American Hockey League coach to lead their franchise.

Monday, they did so again, naming Jon Cooper to replaced the fired Guy Boucher.

Cooper has been on NHL radars since he led the Norfolk (Va.) Admirals, the Lightning's affiliate last season, to a 28-game winning streak in the regular season. The Admirals then went 17-7 to capture the AHL title, earning Cooper coach of the year honors.

This season, he has led the Syracuse (N.Y.) Crunch, the team's current affiliate, to the AHL's top record, even though the Lightning have called up many players.

"He has had success at every level he has coached and is extremely familiar with our organization, as well as our players," general manager Steve Yzerman said in a statement. "He has a tremendous record at all levels and we feel he is ready to make the move to the NHL."

Ten players on the current Lightning roster, including rookie of the year candidate Cory Conacher, have played for Cooper this season.

"I look forward to getting to know the players and getting to work right away," Cooper said in a statement.

Cooper, who also won titles in the North American Hockey League and United States Hockey League, will make his NHL debut on Friday against the New Jersey Devils.

Dan Lacroix and Steve Thomas will run the Lightning bench for Tuesday night's game against the Buffalo Sabres, then continue as Cooper's assistants.

Boucher was fired on Sunday because defensive woes have dropped the offensively talented Lightning to near the bottom of the NHL standings.